Frequently Asked Questions

Do you record bass direct or mic a cabinet?

Bass is a great instrument to record because of the impact that it has on a song. Depending on the cabinet used, you may find that recording directly into the mixer is a better way to go, bypassing any tonal coloration that your amp might add to the sound. However, the best situation is to mic the cab and take a direct feed at the same time and blend the signals in post-production to get the perfect bass tone. So bring your cab if you have one, but it is not required.

Do you have studio musicians that can play on my song?

Yes, we have several highly skilled studio musicians that are available for nearly any project. Everything from drums, guitar, mandolin, vocals, you name it. Samples can be requested to hear previous work. Pricing is available upon request. Let us know what you are looking for and we will connect you with the right musician.

What is a click track?

The use of a metronome or a recorded rhythm part can be used to keep the group on time and together resulting in a consistent and even pace. This is highly recommended if recording overdubbs at any point in the project.

What is a scratch track?

If you are recording by way of overdubbing you will most likely need a simple track to follow that plots out the entire song like a map. This recording does not need to be a perfect take, and is almost always thrown out after the parts have been combined together; thus calling it a scratch track.

What are overdubbs?

Most contemporary recordings that you might hear on the radio or purchase at the store were not recorded with all the band members together in the room at the same time. In order to achieve maximum performance quality and tonal control, each musician records separately which is more commonly called “overdubbing”. After each musician records their part in a song, the collection of recordings is then pieced together to form the final song.

What is mastering?

This process takes the stereo mix-down of a song and adjusts for consistent output levels, increased volume, stereo imaging, track tonality, fade in/out. You will hear a noticeable improvement in the song between mastered and un-mastered tracks.

What is mixing?

This process occurs during or directly after recording. This includes balancing audio levels between instruments, achieving desired tonality of individual instruments, applying effects such as reverb, delay, chorus, ect…, panning, splicing, compression, and adjusting tracks for timing and automation.

Can Waysound help us get a record deal?

We arm our clients with as much advice and information as we can to better prepare for the business of music. We would love nothing more that to see you succeed, so let us know what your intentions are and we will do our best to help.

Can we eat at the studio?

We have a small kitchen that you are more than welcome to use including a microwave, sink and fridge (the fridge is always stocked with water bottles at no charge!). We ask that no food or drink be brought into the control room or tracking room with the exception of water.

How far in advanced do I need to book a session?

We try to be as flexible as possible with your schedule. We generally schedule out 1-3 weeks in advanced depending on availability.

What do we need to know when we get to the studio?

First and most importantly is to be on time. The studio schedules several clients in a day and sometimes cannot adjust session times if you are going to be late. It’s also important to remember that the clock starts at your scheduled start time whether you are there or not. Once you do arrive, setup is a critical part of the recording process and should not be rushed. Help each other load in gear and setup.

Can we record at our home studio and have Waysound mix it?

Absolutely! This is something that is becoming very popular now and is a great way to save money and still produce a nice sounding demo. Check if your software can save “.OMF” files.

Do you have instruments and/or amps we can use?

We have a limited amount of instruments available and generally recommend bringing your own instruments. We do, however provide a couple studio instruments at no charge listed on our equipment page.

What can we do before coming into the studio to make sure we are as prepared as possible?

The best way you can prepare before coming into the studio is an obvious one…practice. Know who is doing what and at what time so that the session flows smoothly and you can check things off your checklist. The next is to be prepared… this includes figuring out solos before hand. Doing this at the studio can be time consuming and frustrating for you and the band. Lastly, bring your strongest suit… change guitar strings/drum heads, fix noisy knobs and pickups, oil your kick pedal, ect... These things are easy to fix and in most cases have a dramatic effect on the quality of sound from your instrument and improve the overall sound of your recording.

Do you offer discounts?

Yes, check our homepage for new deals or promotions on everything from recording time to duplication. The only discounts that we offer on a regular basis are our “block rates”, “New Client” and “referral” discounts.

How long will it take to record my song?

This is a toughie! There is no cookie cutter time length that we can use to tell you how long it takes to record a song because there are just so many variables. We can only give you an educated estimate based off of the time it took other clients that match closely to your style/size. Even then, there are differences in abilities and creative direction that play a large role in time involved for your project. Bottom line, we will try our best to give you an estimate as close as possible so that you can budget yourselves accordingly.

Are you currently accepting interns?

We have a summer and a winter internship program that provides a hands on experience in a professional recording studio assisting with session setups, level one mixing, and much more. The positions are unpaid and require 10-20 hours per week for 10 weeks. If interested please send your resume and cover letter to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mail it to the studio address 110 Northwest HWY Fox River Grove, IL 60021 RE:Internship Program

What is an engineer?

An engineer is someone who operates the equipment in the studio, works technically with the producer and artist to achieve the best sound with the equipment.

What is a producer?

A producer is a person who overseas the recording project for an artist or band giving them direction and working with the engineer to achieve maximum potential for the song/album. We typically suggest finding a producer based off of the quality of previous work, someone who has worked with music in your genre and has a good understanding of your style knows that they will be calling the shots and raising the quality of the project.

Do you work weekends?

Yes, this is actually when most of our sessions are booked. Monday-Thursday we typically reserve for post-production, editing, and studio maintenance. Friday-Sunday we are busy recording and making music.

Can we get a tour of the studio?

Absolutely! We love company and nothing gives us greater pleasure than to show off our space. Let us know ahead of time so we can make sure someone is available to meet with you and show you around.